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Overview

Steve provides practical solutions to complex commercial disputes. He digests complicated issues quickly and guides the dispute resolution process to achieve clients’ business objectives.  

Steve focuses his litigation and arbitration practice on government contracts, renewable energy, and construction projects. He began his career litigating construction disputes on federal government projects, but clients quickly began looking to Steve for guidance on all of their government contracting needs. 

He now assists clients across the industry spectrum who contract with, or accept grants from, the federal government. Steve has represented clients in bid protests and claims litigation at both the state and federal level in numerous jurisdictions across the country. He also has guided clients through numerous audits, internal investigations, and due diligence matters, as well as other contract compliance and administration issues.   

In the renewable energy arena, Steve represents owners and developers of wind, solar, and hydroelectric projects with all of their project construction and operation issues. He has extensive experience in the preparation and pursuit of warranty claims, and has successfully litigated or settled disputes against several of the world’s top original equipment manufacturers and EPC contractors. He also counsels owners and developers on corporate matters that affect day-to-day operations. Steve enjoys the challenge of viewing an issue from all vantage points to create a coherent case for clients.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • The Legal 500 United States
    • E-discovery, Recommended attorney, 2023 and 2024
    • Government contracts, Recommended attorney, 2024
  • Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, High Honors, 2019-2020

Education

  • J.D., American University Washington College of Law
    • cum laude
    • Moot Court Honor Society
    • Administrative Law Review
  • B.A., College of William and Mary

Admissions

  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • Virginia
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law; Forum on the Construction Industry
  • Board of Contract Appeals Bar Association, Board of Governors
  • District of Columbia Bar
  • The Virginia Bar Association

Languages

  • Spanish, conversant
2024 Pro Bono Contributor
Experience

Renewable Energy

  • Represented solar developers in various claims against EPC contractors and panel manufacturer for defective construction and low power production.
  • Advised solar developer on various compliance issues arising under power purchase agreement with government agency for soon-to-be-constructed solar project.
  • Represented global renewable energy developer in multimillion-dollar arbitration in New York on alleged breaches of warranties in long-term service and maintenance agreement.
  • Advised wind energy developers in warranty disputes involving alleged blade and gearbox defects in wind turbines at facilities in California, Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas.
  • Represented renewable energy developer in litigation of $140 million warranty coverage dispute involving wind turbines at wind farms in California, Illinois and Pennsylvania.
  • Successfully obtained dismissal in breach of contract action against hydroelectric developer and investor-owned utility brought by former owner of plant.
  • Represented wind energy developer in litigation against major balance of plant contractor and engineering firm.

Government Contracts

  • Assisted one of largest U.S. commercial and civil contractors with numerous emergency design-build contracts for new hospital construction intended for COVID-19 patients.
  • Represented technical, professional and scientific services company in multiple GAO bid protests challenging award of Air Force contract for technical support services. Actively participated in drafting and presentation of expert testimony supporting challenge to agency's technical evaluation and corrective action.
  • Successfully defended awardee in GAO bid protests seeking to overturn award of $480 million contract for interoperability testing and certification services with Defense Logistics Agency.
  • Represented successful offeror in defending three GAO bid protests challenging award of $350 million Corps of Engineers contract for remediation of nuclear waste.
  • Represented construction contractor in protests involving contracts for (i) construction of Army Reserve Center in New York; (ii) renovation of Army barracks in New Jersey; and (iii) relocation of maintenance facility at national park in New Jersey.
  • Represented health IT contractor in connection with task order protest before GAO and then U.S. Court of Federal Claims under government-wide acquisition contract for markup and quality assurance of public access journal manuscripts for National Institutes of Health.
  • Successfully mediated and converted default termination of X-ray inspection solutions company in contract with Defense Logistics Agency-Aviation to construct and install radiographic shielded enclosure to be used by Navy's Fleet Readiness Center Southwest in San Diego, California.
  • Advised small aerospace company in connection with convenience termination of four subcontract purchase orders issued for modification of aircraft to perform flight testing for Navy's Multi-Stage Supersonic Target Project.
  • Advised private liberal arts university on several grant administration issues, including time and effort reporting, institutional base salary compliance, procurement standards and conflicts of interest policies.
  • Represented independent K-12 school district in connection with performance and closeout of JobLink contract funded by federal grant.
Outside the Office

Steve enjoys hockey and traveling.

He is both a hockey fan and player. Steve loves cheering on the Washington Capitals, his favorite professional hockey team, and he plays roller hockey three or four nights a week. Steve also enjoys traveling and sharing new experiences with friends and family.

Community Leadership

From 2010-2013 and again in 2016-2017, Steve was a volunteer teacher at the Central American Resource Center. He taught U.S. history and civics to permanent residents preparing to take the U.S. citizenship exam.

Pro Bono - Immigration

Steve has volunteered his time to provide representation to unaccompanied minors in immigration court.

Steve helped establish the firm’s relationship with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), a national organization that pairs pro bono attorneys with unaccompanied minors in the immigration system. He has handled a number of KIND cases and is still in touch with his first KIND client, who graduated high school and now works in the local community.